₦airaland Forum

Gowon: "Nigeria Is Thriving Today, We’ve Gone Beyond What We Were 55 Years Ago."

Nigeria’s former Head of State, General (Rtd) Yakubu Gowon has declared that the country is not only surviving but thriving, 55 years after the end of the civil war.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Gowon reflected on his post-war policy of “no victor, no vanquished,” defending its long-term impact on national unity and national progress.

“Well, thriving…isn’t Nigeria thriving today? Have we not gone beyond what we were 55 years ago?” he asked.

“Certainly, I did not mean that things will be absolutely perfect… but at least we have survived as a country, improving at every stage to where we are.”

Pressed on whether survival equates to genuine healing and development, Gowon insisted that the eastern region most affected by the war has made visible strides in recovery and growth.

“There is great progress happening in the East. I certainly did not try to stop development. Things are improving as time goes on.”

Addressing criticism over the use of oil revenue during his administration, Gowon defended his government’s handling of post-war resources. He said much of the funds generated during the oil boom were directed towards rebuilding and reintegrating affected areas.

“We ensured those resources were used for reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration, what we called the three Rs,” he said. "We restored damaged schools, hospitals and infrastructure in the East and other affected parts of the country.”

On the 1975 “cement scandal,” in which excessive cement orders allegedly overwhelmed Nigeria’s port capacity, he dismissed the narrative as false and misinformed. “That was virtually before my overthrow. There was a global shortage of cement and a glut of shipping.

We tried to secure cement from several countries but couldn’t. People assumed we ordered more than our ports could handle, but that was a false allegation.”

Asked on how he would like to be remembered, he said, “I want to be remembered as someone who loves his country, Nigeria, who loves Nigerians and who prays that if I cannot fight it, at least I can pray for Nigeria to continue to be a country that all of us would love.”

The elder statesman ended on a light note, referencing news that US President Donald Trump might advocate visa bans for Nigerians.

“Well, today I heard that Trump says that Nigeria might be one of those countries that they are going to deny visa. So it meant I cannot go to America anymore. Well, it means that I should try to make my country better than America so that I can stay in Nigeria.”

BuharisBoy:
The Silent Betrayal: How the West May Be Using Iran to Eliminate Israel
In a world of hidden agendas and geopolitical games, nothing is ever what it seems. Beneath the headlines of missile strikes and drone warfare lies a chilling possibility: What if the West is not defending Israel, but orchestrating its fall? What if Iran—the so-called arch-nemesis—is merely a tool in a larger Western design to erase Israel’s global leverage and influence?
It may sound outrageous. But history has shown us time and again that alliances are temporary, friendships disposable, and loyalty negotiable. And now, all signs point to a disturbing truth: Israel is being set up. And Iran is the weapon.

🧩 The Setup: From Strategic Ally to Strategic Obstacle
Israel has long been regarded as America’s most reliable partner in the Middle East. Armed to the teeth, defended in every UN resolution, and funded with billions annually—on the surface, it would seem unshakable.
But look deeper.
Over the past decade, Israel has become less obedient, more assertive, and unafraid to pursue its interests even when they conflict with Washington’s plans. Under Netanyahu, Israel has:
• Ignored U.S. calls for restraint in Gaza
• Opposed nuclear deals that America tried to revive
• Conducted covert ops in Syria and Iran without Western approval
• Strengthened ties with China and Russia in tech and defense
To the West, Israel has become more of a rogue partner than a reliable one. And in the world of realpolitik, such partners are quietly phased out—not with sanctions, but with calculated chaos.

🎭 Enter Iran: The Perfect Scapegoat
Iran, painted as the villain for decades, is the perfect instrument to bring Israel down without Western fingerprints.
• Iran is already armed—with drones, ballistic missiles, and regional militias.
• Iran is already hated—meaning no one will question its aggression.
• And Iran has nothing to lose—sanctions, economic collapse, and isolation have pushed it to the edge.
But the question is: Who benefits most if Iran takes the bait and Israel bleeds?
Answer: The West.

📉 How the West Is Quietly Backing Away from Israel
1. Reduced public support: Recent polls in Europe and even the U.S. show declining public sympathy for Israel, especially after its military campaigns in Gaza.
2. Diplomatic distancing: Key allies like France, Canada, and Germany have toned down their pro-Israel stance in international forums.
3. Shifting alliances: The West is now courting Gulf states—especially Saudi Arabia—who are rich, moderate, and more cooperative in oil, business, and military policy.
4. Control of information: Western media, once staunchly pro-Israel, now increasingly reports Israeli actions with skepticism and moral questioning.
In this vacuum, Iran’s rise is quietly tolerated—even subtly enabled.

🛑 Is the West Secretly Arming Iran?
Some conspiracy theorists believe that arms, intelligence, or “loopholes” in sanctions have allowed Iran to develop advanced weapons suspiciously fast. Hypersonic missiles, satellite-guided drones, and new air defense systems all appeared in the last two years—despite Iran being “isolated.”
Could it be that Western powers, under the table, allowed this growth? Could their real goal be to give Iran just enough power to serve as the sword that pierces Israel—without sparking a global war?

🔄 A Historical Pattern of Betrayal
This wouldn’t be the first time the West used and discarded a strategic partner:
• Saddam Hussein was once backed by the U.S. against Iran—before being eliminated.
• The Taliban were armed to defeat the Soviets—then declared enemies.
• Libya's Gaddafi made peace with the West—only to be bombed into oblivion.
Why should Israel be any different?

🧨 The Final Move: Bleed Israel, Blame Iran
If Israel collapses under a combined assault by Iran and its proxies, the West can claim innocence, mourn the tragedy, and swiftly broker “peace”—while shifting full Middle East control to a Saudi-led bloc more aligned with Western economic interests.
No more global protests over Palestine.
No more headaches at the UN.
No more maverick Israeli foreign policy.
Just oil, arms deals, and order.

🤫 What No One Will Say Out Loud
Behind closed doors, some believe Western elites have made a calculated decision: Israel is no longer essential. It’s too expensive to defend, too controversial to justify, and too independent to control.
If it disappears, the world moves on. Markets recover. Oil flows. The public forgets.
And Iran? When its job is done, it’ll be punished too. Just like Saddam. Just like Gaddafi.
Because in this great game of nations, there are no permanent friends—only permanent interests.

🕯️ Final Thought
Israel may think it still has the full backing of the West. But behind the scenes, the chessboard has shifted.
And as Iran moves its pieces forward, it may not be acting alone—but playing a role in a far bigger game scripted by powers that never truly loved Israel—only used it.
History is not written by the righteous—it’s written by the winners. And if this theory is true, Israel has already lost.

Negroid001:
After you and your kindred ruined the country for us. No planning whatsoever, you guys looted the country dry and still don't want to leave there.

Racoon:
https://www.arise.tv/gowon-nigeria-is-thriving-today-weve-gone-beyond-what-we-were-55-years-ago/

EyeCumInPeace:
Quick Poll...

LIKE =Wrong - We were better off as a Country 55years ago.

SHARE =Right - We are presently better of as a country than 55years ago.

Racoon:
https://www.arise.tv/gowon-nigeria-is-thriving-today-weve-gone-beyond-what-we-were-55-years-ago/